The gut and gut health took centre stage at our annual Dairy Council Nutrition and Health Conference at W5, Belfast on the 25 April.
Chaired by Professor Sean Strain from Ulster University, the conference shed light on new developments in nutrition science and practice, including those in relation to dairy foods, and featured an insightful presentation from Professor Thom Huppertz (Wageningen University and Research) on 'Lactose for health and nutrition: breakthrough innovation or old news for new people?'
While normally the focus of debate is around intolerance, lactose plays a unique role in human nutrition, Professor Huppertz outlined, and its benefits are often overlooked including for dental health, as a fuel for exercise and its low sweetness and glycemic index.
The audience also heard from Professor Orla O’Sullivan (Teagasc Food Research Centre and University College Cork) on 'No guts, no glory: a role for the microbiome in athletic performance?' and Gráinne O’Higgins (Sport Ireland Institute) who shared insights around 'Reducing the revolving door of IBS referrals: more than just FODMAPs'.
While Professor Alexander Miras from Ulster University opened proceedings on the night with a virtual presentation on 'Gut Hormones: new insights on the effects on metabolism, appetite and food intake'.
Dairy Council for Northern Ireland nutritionist, Dr Carole Lowis commented:
“This conference is a highlight on the Dairy Council calendar, serving as an opportunity to welcome nutrition, health and education professionals to uncover ‘what’s new’ in nutrition research into dairy and beyond.
“Thank you to our speakers who each presented fascinating new insights into the gut and gut health and dairy’s potential role in these. A big thank you must also go to all those who attended the event and contributed to some very informative discussions with the panel of experts.”
Nutrition and Health Professionals can find out more about the conference and watch recordings of the presentations here.
Pictured from left are Professor Orla O’Sullivan, Professor Thom Huppertz, Ian Stevenson (DCNI CEO), Gráinne O’Higgins, Professor Sean Strain and Dr Carole Lowis.